Local News - Lubbock Online.com - GOP chairman McDougal has eye on City Council seat

Thursday, March 12, 1998Last modified at 3:24 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 1998

GOP chairman McDougal has eye on City Council seat

By MIKE W. THOMAS

Avalanche-Journal

Fresh from a successful re-election bid for Lubbock County Republican Party chairman, Marc McDougal is now considering a race for City Council.

McDougal picked up a candidate's packet Wednesday from the City Secretary's Office and said he will decide by this weekend whether to make a bid for the District 5 council seat being vacated by Randy Neugebauer.

McDougal said he would not have to step down as party chairman to serve on the council. While party chairmen are elected, he said, they are not considered public officials, so there would be no conflict with state laws.

Now that the primary elec-

tion is past, McDougal said his duties as party chairman are not as time consuming. However, he said he is still weighing the consequences of such a dual role. Family considerations will play a role in his final decision, he said.

"I definitely think I have something that I can bring to the table (as a council member)," he said. "We've got to look at ways to keep our city strong. Lubbock has a lot to offer and we just have to go out and sell it."

No one had filed for the District 5 council seat as of Wednesday. The District 1 council seat also may be vacant if Councilman Victor Hernandez decides to run for mayor. No one has filed to run in District 1 either. The deadline to filec is March 18.